Entertainment

Sarnia woman uses her time in the dentist's chair as fodder for children's book

Author Jen Dafoe shares her new children's book with friends Cam Davies and Jace Bettridge, 2, in Sarnia, Ont. Thursday, April 10, 2014. Dafoe was inspired by Davies to write "Chico's First Trip to the Dentist." (BARBARA SIMPSON, The Observer)

Jen Dafoe is more than qualified to write a book about visiting the dentist.

The 49-year-old Sarnia woman has undergone about 30 reconstructive dental surgeries after doctors found cysts in her jaw when she was in her 20s.

But despite years of excruciating surgeries, friends have marveled at Dafoe's upbeat take on life.

"It was (my friend Cam Davies) who said, 'You have such a great gift. You've had over 38 surgeries and you are still so positive,'" she recalled.

He urged her to share her story and she has – through a dog.

The first-time author has just released the children's book Chico's First Trip to the Dentist. The star of the book – her friend's dog Chico – guides young readers along as he learns about dental tools and practices for himself.

While Dafoe may be an expert patient, she relied on dentists to help her explain how a typical visit would be for a young child.

"It was important for me for it not to be a fairy tale," she said, noting her own dentist Dr. Mario Moscone and his staff were helpful.

She hopes the book will alleviate children's common fears like dental chairs, the overhead lamps and suction straws.

"I really wanted to educate kids and not scare them," she said.

Chico was chosen as the main character because photos of him have kept Dafoe upbeat while she has recovered from surgeries.

U.S. illustrator Evan Shoman made "Chico come alive" in the pages, she noted. Shoman also incorporated photos of London-based dentist Dr. Karin Van Ryswyk and other dental staff into the artwork.

Dafoe is already planning a second adventure for Chico. He will next visit an optometrist for the first time.

Writing her first educational children's book has helped Dafoe recover from a lifetime of operations.

"For me, it took all the negatives I've had and made it a positive."

Copies of Chico's First Trip to the Dentist are available online at chicosadventures.com and on shelves at The Book Keeper and Sarnia's Coles bookstore.